ANCIENT EGYPTIAN STUDY GROUP - 6 Wands

rwcarter

Outside of a fortress, a group of warriors present their lotus standards in a salute to honor the pharaoh's victory. One of them has broken ranks from the others. As he wears some sort of necklace, his garment is different from that of the other warriors and his staff bears the emblem of a lion, he must be their leader.

The lion is a solar animal, thereby suggesting courage, power, vitality, energy, strength, fortitude, military might and protection. Its presence suggests both Sekhmet, the goddess of war (see Strength) and Ra (see the Emperor). The lion also brings to mind the phrase, "taking the lion's share," which means to take the greatest part.

The open lotus flower is another depiction of the positive aspects of all that is solar.

The fort is a symbol of protection and safety.

There is debris in the foreground of the card where there is none closer to the fortress. The debris may be remnants of the battle that was won. It could also suggest disorder, chaos and strife, etc. (everything suggested by the 5 Wands). The visual suggestion could be that behind the leader is a realm of peace and order that is protected by both Ra and Sekhmet and the forces of disorder and chaos won't be allowed through. As the warriors are unarmed, this would be a symbolic statement.

Rodney